Meiact - Pharmacology:

The bactericidal activity of cefditoren results from the inhibition of cell wall synthesis via affinity for penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs). Meiact is stable in the presence of a variety of b-lactamases, including penicillinases and some cephalosporinases.

Meiact for patients

Patients should be counseled that antibacterial drugs including SPECTRACEF should only be used to treat bacterial infections. They do not treat viral infections (e.g., the common cold). When SPECTRACEF is prescribed to treat a bacterial infection, patients should be told that although it is common to feel better early in the course of therapy, the medication should be taken exactly as directed. Skipping doses or not completing the full course of therapy may (1) decrease the effectiveness of the immediate treatment and (2) increase the likelihood that bacteria will develop resistance and will not be treatable by SPECTRACEF or other antibacterial drugs in the future.

SPECTRACEF (cefditoren pivoxil) should be taken with meals to enhance absorption.

SPECTRACEF may be taken concomitantly with oral contraceptives.

It is not recommended that SPECTRACEF be taken concomitantly with antacids or other drugs taken to reduce stomach acids.

Meiact Interactions

Oral Contraceptives

Multiple doses of cefditoren pivoxil had no effect on the pharmacokinetics of ethinyl estradiol, the estrogenic component in most oral contraceptives.

Antacids

Co-administration of a single dose of an antacid which contained both magnesium (800 mg) and aluminum (900 mg) hydroxides reduced the oral absorption of a single 400 mg dose of cefditoren pivoxil administered following a meal, as evidenced by a 14% decrease in mean Cmax and an 11% decrease in mean AUC. Although the clinical significance is not known, it is not recommended that cefditoren pivoxil be taken concomitantly with antacids.

H2-Receptor Antagonists

Co-administration of a single dose of intravenously administered famotidine (20 mg) reduced the oral absorption of a single 400 mg dose of cefditoren pivoxil administered following a meal, as evidenced by a 27% decrease in mean Cmax and a 22% decrease in mean AUC. Although the clinical significance is not known, it is not recommended that cefditoren pivoxil be taken concomitantly with H2 receptor antagonists.

Probenecid

As with other b-lactam antibiotics, co-administration of probenecid with cefditoren pivoxil resulted in an increase in the plasma exposure of cefditoren, with a 49% increase in mean Cmax, a 122% increase in mean AUC, and a 53% increase in half-life.

Drug/Laboratory Test Interactions

Cephalosporins are known to occasionally induce a positive direct Coombs test. A false-positive reaction for glucose in the urine may occur with copper reduction tests (Benedicts or Fehlings solution or with CLINITEST tablets), but not with enzyme-based tests for glycosuria (e.g., CLINISTIX, TES-TAPE). As a false-negative result may occur in the ferricyanide test, it is recommended that either the glucose oxidase or hexokinase method be used to determine blood/plasma glucose levels in patients receiving cefditoren pivoxil.

Meiact Contraindications

SPECTRACEF is contraindicated in patients with known allergy to the cephalosporin class of antibiotics or any of
its components.

SPECTRACEF is contraindicated in patients with carnitine deficiency or inborn errors of metabolism that may result
in clinically significant carnitine deficiency, because use of SPECTRACEF causes renal excretion of carnitine.